I have a project in the works: A CZ 550 Safari Magnum, brand new, in 416 Rigby that I am rebarreling to 450 Rigby. The question is this, do I need to have anything done to the stock, i.e. extra recoil studs added? Any advice would be appreciated.

My suggestion, gasoline and matches

Sorry, I just can't get over the look of that humpback stock. I'm sure it works well, but I just wish they would make a more classic "safari" style as an option.

Tim

Shumba:
Sorry, I should have noted in my post that I have the new style stock, no humpback....new and improved classic style with nice straight grain.

When did they change the stocks on the Rigby? Do you have a picture of yours?

Yes, please do post a picture. I have one with the humpback stock and can't stand it. Also if there is a part number in your manual for the stock you have, could you provide it? Thanks in advance.

Longbob & Congomike: The gun is still at the gunshop so I can't post any pix's. Sorry about that. I'll try and see if I can get a picture to post. As for when they changed the stock style I couldn't tell you. To tell you the truth I thought the new Safari Magnum came standard with the classic style stock untill my friend at the gunshop told me of the change, apparently it's very recient.

I would double or triple cross bolt the stock and glass bed the action....I would add a barrel recoil lug 5" in front of the action. I would also run the glass bedding to the rear of that barrel recoil lug giveing it clearance on the sides, front and bottom, in other words only contact on the rear of the lug...leave 20 thounsands gap at the rear of the tang.

IF it's bedded anything at all like the original hump-backed stocks, all it needs is glass bedding.
It already has a very well designed and made secondary recoil lug and cross bolts.

I disagree with Ray about the rear tang clearance. Five thousanths is more than enough and not nearly as noticeably at the .020 ditch.
I personally leave nothing behind the rear tang and prefer to give the metal NO running room at all.

I'm REALLY glad to hear they have a classic stock for that model. The gun is certainly well worth it.

Carlos,

It would be great to see yours because the CZ website is only showing the Humpback for the Rigby. I have one that is currently being restocked by the Great American Gunstock Company. I can't wait to get it back!

Gentlemen, if you don't like the looks of the factory stock, have a stockmaker reshape it and take the hump out. You can do it yourself if you are reasonably good with a rasp and sandpaper. Look at the thread entitled JudgeG's New Toy. His was originally a factory stock. I'd also add an ebony forend tip and steel grip cap like the Judge.

Right now, I'm reshaping a ZKK-601 in 223. The factory stock looks like a Weatherby. I'm glass bedding, adding a 90 degree ebony tip, steel grip cap, Old English pad, reshaping the triangular forend to round-oval, setting the grip back, and reshaping the comb and rollover cheekpiece to Continental style.

[ 06-09-2003, 22:07: Message edited by: fla3006 ]

Gentleman

Beware of the "standard" straight stock of the CZ550 - the drop of the stock is nothing you want for scope use - way to low - had to laminate almost 1" to the stock to get my scope aligned (but I admit my EAW mounts are very high too).

Ordered a 3-piece laminate stock from AHR because now the stock doesn't make me happy anymore.

I have digital pictures of the CZ 550 stock. Never posted pictures before. Can anyone leed me through how to post them in a reply?

CZ says the 550 American is stocked for a scope, but I get a perfect stock weld every time with an Ashley rear sight on my 9.3x62. Ashley sights are a little taller than traditional aperture sights and a lot taller than most open sights. Also, the factory pad on my American is a full 1" thick. Americans I have seen in lighter calibers have a thinner pad. Okie John.